Image Archive

The R/V Thompson 2200 m above the Main Endeavour Hydrothermal Field as it begins operations to aide in the recovery the the Ocean Exploration Trust vehicle Hercules and Argus. Credit. A. Fundis, Ocean Exploration Trust.

A vibrant tube worm, intermixed with sulfiide worms, thrives on the side of Inferno. Credit. D. Kelley, University of Washington, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, WHOI, V21.

Beautiful red plumes top the ends of tube worms that are associated with scale worms, limpets and sulfide worms on the Inferno chimney in the ASHES Hydrothermal Field. Credit: D. Kelley, University of Washington, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, WHOI; V21.

TiffGrabber image from the Sulis camera. It’s generally the same camera that the livestream on the website is set to. We got super close to one particular chimney. Look at all the sulfide worms and limpets! UW/NSF-OOI/WHOI; Dive J2-1377; V21.

These are the RAS tubes – fear not; the vent fluid inside is clear, but the tubes are stained yellow from a year deployment - 48 in total – it was a tedious process, but we got all the samples processed. Credit: D. Paterson, University of Washington, V21.

The junction box frame holding the RAS sampler. If there’s one thing I’ve noticed, it’s that there are a ton of acronyms for everything. I’m learning, SBS. (slowly but surely). Credit; D. Paterson, University of Washington, V21.

A clump of tubeworms is sampled for other "hidden" creatures thriving on the vent called Mushroom. Credit: C. Gill, University of Washington, V21.

Slide from K. Bigham's research presentation onboard the Thompson. Credit: R. Manoharan, University of Washington, V21.

Professor Julie Nelson processes fluid samples for chlorophyll. Credit: R. Manoharan, University of Washington, V21.

CTD rosette being lowered down to about 2600 m. Credit: R. Manoharan, University of Washington, V21.

Little styrofoam owl before being squished by high water pressure. Credit: R. Manoharan, University of Washington, V21.

Little plotting styrofoam owl after being squished by high ocean pressure. Credit; R. Manoharan, University of Washington, V21.

Jason coming onboard the Thompson with the Undervator latched beneath, hosting recovered instruments and an extension cable. Credit: M. Elend, University of Washington, V21.

The lab where the INVADER team has been working and taking their rock samples. Because many of the samples came from sulfide vents, it smells really bad in here (H2S)!” Image Credit: D. Kaufman, University of Washington, V21.

The control van from my last dive for the day – we spent quite a bit of time flying around a few of the smokers before the ascent would be made. ‘Mushroom’ and ‘Inferno’ were the two vents highlighted in the fly-by, both covered with all sorts of life. Credit: D. Paterson, University of Washington, V21.

Some of the panels in the bridge. I like how neat and organized they are. Must resist urge to push random buttons … Credit: D. Paterson, University of Washington, V21.

A junction box (left) that provides power and communications to cabled instruments on the seafloor and a remote access fluid-microbial DNA instrument (right) awaiting to be installed. Credti: D. Paterson, University of Washington, V21

This is the interface I was using today – I controlled when images were taken with the cameras and was the video logger. You basically record/take snapshots if there’s something of interest, or if the person leading the dive asks for a 4K recording. Credit: D. Paterson, University of Washington, V21.

Inside the Jason control van. I’m not sure why it’s called a ‘van’ when it’s more like a room, but who am I to judge? All the screens! Credit: D. Paterson, University of Washington, V21.

Pretty setting sun before my night shift in the control van. Credit: R. Manoharan, University of Washington, V21.

Dimmed view of the ocean floor in the International District Hydrothermal Field from Jason. Credit: R. Manoharan, University of Washington, V21.

An RCA digital still camera installed in 2020, now covered in filamentous bacteria in the International District Hydrothermal Field. Credit: R. Manoharan, University of Washington, V21.

Sulkin sulking in the middle of the International District Hydrothermal Field ~ 1500 m beneath the oceans surface. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/WHOI; Dive J2-1381; V21.

Photo of myself collecting seawater that will be analyzed in the lab for nutrients and/or chlorophyll. Credit: K. Bigham, University of Washington, V21.

The Jason van that is reminiscent of JPL’s control room. This is where the Jason team operates the ROV, the RCA team leads the dives, and where the interns and guests take shifts taking notes of the operations. Credit: L.Rodriguez, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, V21.

Me in the immersion suit. Credit: Mitch Elend, University of Washington, V21.

The CTD that were pulled onto R/V Thompson; each of the Niskin bottles held seawater collected at different depths. Credit: K. Bigham, University of Washington, V21.